Super Storey powers to eighth gold medal

The Manchester cyclist caught final opponent Anna Harkowska of Poland after just six and a half of the 12 laps to triumph and claim her eighth Paralympic gold medal.

The gold was the third in Storey's career as a cyclist, adding to the five she won as a swimmer.

Earlier compatriot Mark Colbourne won silver in the men's C1-2-3 one-kilometre time-trial.

Despite the one-sided nature of her final, Storey insisted her victory had been far from easy.

"Mentally you've got to prepare, anything can happen," she said. "I have to respect all my competitors.

"I didn't expect to be able to catch her as quick as I did, I stepped my game up as well.

"So much goes into it emotionally that nothing's ever easy at this level."

Storey now has another three events to prepare for.

"I always said if I could get off to a really great start that would set me up for the rest of the week and hopefully that's the case," she said.

"The first one's always the hardest to get out of the way and to come away with a gold medal is a dream come true."

Crystal Lane qualified fourth and had to settle for a place outside the medals.

Earlier in the day Chinese shooter Zhang Cuiping had the honour of winning the first of 503 Paralympic gold medals.

The 24-year-old set a new world record in the women's R2-10 metres air rifle standing SH1 at the Royal Artillery Barracks.

Zhang was a class above her rivals as she finished with 500.9 points, well clear of Germany's Manuela Schmermund in second with Australian Natalie Smith taking bronze.